BigBill said:Caroline, I would not want to grow a phalaenopsis tipped over like that at 90 from vertical. That is just begging for the roots to grow out into the air. This causes rapid drying and water loss.
You should grow it in a vertical position.
Have you read through those stickies and threads in the Orchid Forums? They would help tremendously!
I would use a traditional plastic pot like maybe a 5" pot with several drainage holes. The plastic net pot , the black thing, is not really a good idea because it allows for rapid drying as well. Phalaenopsis like to be watered well then approach dryness, and get watered well again. Planting it in a net pot on its side will promote TOO much drying!!
Then in a conventional plastic pot you can use that media and back fill around the roots. You do not want to pot too loosely, nor do you really want to CRAM the media in there too hard. It is a balance between the two extremes.
A lot of Phalaenopsis growers grow them this way and while they are in bloom they display them say on a coffee table. They slide that pot right into a ceramic pot to go for the "pretty factor". And when it is done blooming they remove the ceramic pot and grow the orchid as before.
Look at my image, green plastic pot, 5". Plant blooms and I stake the bloom spike for support. Roots grow down into the media to retain moisture.
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